Online speed record for the TU/e transmitting 22.9 petabits per second through a fiberoptic cable
Researchers at TU/e have achieved a groundbreaking online speed record by successfully transmitting a digital file at an unprecedented rate. The file reached its destination at an astonishing speed of 22.9 petabits per second, marking a significant advancement in data transmission. This record-breaking feat was accomplished through collaboration between the TU/e team in Eindhoven, researchers in Japan, and counterparts in Italy.
Menno van den Hout, a PhD student, conducted the majority of the measurements for this achievement at NICT Japan. He is scheduled to defend his thesis within the Department of Electrical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology on February 7th.
The achieved speed is described by researcher Chigo Okonkwo as equivalent to “about twenty times the global internet traffic per second” and “229 times the maximum capacity of the currently used fiber optic cables.”
Chigo Okonkwo draws parallels to the immense scale of the achievement, likening it to “a billion people watching Netflix streams simultaneously” or “ten billion people engaging in individual HD video calls, surpassing the global population.”
The breakthrough is particularly significant in the context of the ongoing development of the ultra-fast 7G network. While 5G internet is available in the Netherlands, TU/e is already at the forefront, actively working on 6G technology.
According to Okonkwo, such ultra-fast connections not only enhance internet accessibility but also pave the way for new applications like artificial intelligence, which he describes as “bandwidth-hungry.” This research contributes to the broader goal of advancing communication technologies to better serve a growing global demand for high-speed connectivity.
Comparatively, the new record of 22.9 petabits per second far exceeds the previous record set in 2020, which stood at 10.66 petabits per second, highlighting the remarkable progress made in the field of data transmission.